
Pocket Sized Pep Talks
Join professional speaker and five-time bestselling author Rob Jolles as he takes the mic to host Pocket-Sized Pep Talks! This dynamic show delivers concise, impactful messages designed to inform, entertain, inspire, and motivate. Through thought-provoking interviews with fascinating guests and Rob’s own unique commentary, listeners gain valuable insights for both personal and professional growth. Engaging conversations and thoughtful questions keep audiences coming back for more—because sometimes, the best advice comes in small but powerful doses.
Latest episodes

Apr 9, 2025 • 5min
Overselling the Product and Underselling the Idea
It never ceases to amaze me: Companies spend so much time pushing products on clients, and most of those clients have no idea what the product can do for them. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll tell you about a popcorn company that had the right idea… until they lost it. But most importantly, I’ll tell you what can be learned from it!

Apr 7, 2025 • 43min
Unconditional Power: Thriving in Any Situation
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:Some of the issues facing teams including accountability challenges.Some of the biggest communication challenges teams face today.The problems that stem from a lack of honest communication. Strategies leaders can use to ensure honest and productive conversations, especially in a workforce that are pretty jittery right now.The cost of miscommunication and some of the biggest mistakes companies make in communication.How can organizations foster a culture of high performance in the face of constant change.The AI elephant in the room – particularly how AI is impacting workplace communication and trust.Not one, but two pieces of advice for leaders trying to navigate today’s workplace challenges.To learn more about this guest:stevengaffney.com

Apr 2, 2025 • 5min
Starting is Easy, Finishing is Hard
Starting something new is exciting—the big pieces come together quickly, and progress feels effortless. But what happens when the momentum fades, and the small, meticulous details demand your time and patience? Too often, we stop short of greatness, underestimating the power of finishing strong. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, we’ll explore why the last 10% of any project is the hardest—and most importantly—and how mastering the small pieces can set you apart.

Mar 31, 2025 • 53min
Satisfaction Selling: Going To Where The Problem Is NOT
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:Right out of the gate we get into the neuroscience behind this because I’m a guy who has been basically trained to create trust, and earn the right to probe for problems. You'll hear their responses!How focusing on problems potentially limit a salesperson’s success and the customer’s experience.Some common misconceptions about what drives a customer to make a buying decision.Evidence that supports the idea that sales professionals achieve better results when they apply this approach.How these authors discovered this approach, and what inspired them to develop it further.Changes sales teams experience when they adopt this method as their core sales philosophy.To learn more about these guests:Henrik Wenøe -https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrikwenoe/Dr. Joseph Riggio -https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephriggio/

Mar 26, 2025 • 5min
Perfectly Imperfect: The Power of Authenticity
There isn’t a person on the planet who would not benefit from being more believable. I’d like to highlight a performer who demonstrated a wonderful way to be more believable through a live recording he made. My guess is, if you heard it - you missed it! In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk I'll not only tell you why I connected so deeply to this particular performance, I'm quite sure you’ll find some tips to be more believable yourself too.

Mar 24, 2025 • 44min
YOU’RE THE BOSS: Become the Manager You Want to Be… and Others Need
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:Why Sabina believes, there are no bad bosses… yet everyone, including me, feels they have worked for one. A handful of unexpected concepts written about in the book, perhaps the most surprising being that it’s not power that corrupts, it’s pressure.Why is often the pressure to perform that breeds bad boss behavior. The concept of Power Gaps. What they are, and what are some common ones.A wonderful discussion about two major management skills most struggle with: Recognition, and delegation. Some common myths that people have about being a boss.The reasons behinds Sabina's belief that the riskiest time in your career is when you’re promoted. The art of using Micro Habits to stimulate change. The fact that the skills required to be a successful boss are transferable outside of the workplace.The “Shut-up” exercise and how it work!To learn more about this guest:Contact: rebecca.rozenberg@simonandschuster.com | 908-670-1041 Contact: Betsy DeJesu | betsy@cavehenricks.com | 512-519-9875

Mar 19, 2025 • 6min
More Than Comedy: The Legacy of Jerry Lewis
We knew it was coming, but a few years ago the passing of Jerry Lewis still caught me by surprise. I’m well aware he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I sure was a fan. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll remind you that Jerry was more than just a comedian—he was a trailblazer, an innovator, and a philanthropist who left an undeniable mark on the world.

Mar 17, 2025 • 49min
PoP - Plenty of Positivity!
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:Courtney's amazing story about being an elite gymnast, walking away from the sport for three years… and walking on to the team at the University of Florida. What made her turn around, and come back. Her journey within academia and into corporate sales.3. How does positivity impact selling? What doesn’t it impact? Finding interst. Find personality?There are those that consider themselves positive people, and then there’s Courtney; a person who has made a mission out of positivity she calls, "Plenty of Positivity." You'll hear her story.Courtney's opinion about creating positivity when you feel anything but positive. The value of journaling. It's a common theme for so many guests!To learn more about this guest:courtney@plentyofpositivity.comPlenty of Positivity with Courtney Beck Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plenty-of-positivity-with-courtney-beck/id1754004985

Mar 12, 2025 • 7min
From Knockouts to Grilled Chicken: The Power of Reinvention
Change is inevitable, but how we respond to it makes all the difference. From career shifts to technological advancements, those who adapt often find greater success than they ever imagined. In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, we explore key lessons through the story of a legendary boxer turned grill mogul—as a powerful example of embracing change rather than resisting it. If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time for a change, the answer is probably yes—and it just might lead to your biggest opportunity yet.

Mar 10, 2025 • 29min
Book DNA: The Secret to Finding Your Next Great Read
In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:Ben's vision for books building better people and societies!How his website, www.Shepherd.com helps readers.What sparked his idea for Shepherd.How Shepherd helps readers AND authors.How Shepherd differentiates itself from other groups like Goodreads.Shepherd's unique funding. How authors can reach out to his company to participate.New features coming down the road.To learn more about this guest:forauthors@shepherd.comShepherd.com